In Memoriam   Taevon Miles    #55  2000-2009 In the early morning of July 21st, 2009, the West Side Falcons lost one of their own.  Tragedy struck as fire engulfed the home of 9 year old Taevon “Tater” Miles.  Taevon sadly perished in the blaze, which also claimed his 10 year old brother, Michael.  Scranton investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set, and have a suspect in custody.  As the Rev. Cabarrus said, we "can rest assured that God is going to bring justice.  We want justice, not revenge." Taevon, a cornerback on the ‘D’ squad the past two years, was affectionately referred to as ‘Fingers’ by his coaches, for his prowess in bringing down any runner with his fingers….sometimes using only one of them.  He had been ready to move up and fulfill his role on the ‘C’ team for the 2009 season.  Little did we know, that God had a greater plan and needed Tater for his own team. We will never forget his smile, his high-fives, and the strength he displayed on and off the field.     Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon!!!! September 5, 2009 St. Louis, Missouri, was the setting for the State Farm Arch Rivalry game between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the University of Missouri Tigers.  And we all know that Illinois #83, Hubie Graham, is a West Side Falcon.  Hubie, always willing to do anything to support the Falcons and their players, is a member of the Facebook group, "Rest in Peace, Tater".  As a tribute to his fellow Falcon, Hubie dedicated the first game of the Illini 2009 season to the memory of Tater.  Our favorite Tight End honorably displayed "55" on his taped left wrist... Falcons....with each other....Forever!!!! From our Friend in Wales!   As many of you know, I’ve had a long standing relationship with the players and supporters of Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, in Pontypridd, Wales, UK. Many of them followed the Falcons in their quest for the Super Bowl title the past few years.   On Saturday, August 8, 2009, Pontypridd Rugby Football Club played a pre-season friendly match, at their home pitch, Sardis Road (a/k/a ‘The House of Pain’), against the English division one outfit, Doncaster Knights.   The battle ended up in a 19-19 draw, with both sides ‘hiding their cards’ a bit, as they will meet later in the year, in the inaugural British & Irish Cup competition .  But, there was a side note to the match.    Pontypridd Vice-Captain (who was Captain for the match), Gavin Dacey, fulfilled a promise that he had made a week earlier.  Gav told me, “as a mark of respect, I will wear no. ‘55’ on both my wrist straps in our first pre season and first game of the year.  It does not take the pain away but hopes it helps in his memory.   All the best, Gav”.   You see, Gav had become a member of the Facebook Group, “Rest In Peace, Tater”, as did many other Pontypridd RFC players & supporters, along with many around the world... Australia, England, Belgium, and a huge number of the Falcon Family, as well as many all over the U.S.A. (443, at this writing).   With the help of www.ponty.net webmaster, Owen Williams, Catherine McMahon, of Bandog Media, was kind enough to provide us with a pre-match photo.  Gav is pictured with the match mascots, a tradition of rugby…typically, kids around Tater’s age or younger…   Like I said, Tater is everywhere!!!!   Diolch yn fawr iawn, to our friends across the pond, especially Gavin Dacey!   Come On The Pont!  Ole’ Tater! ‘55’ And another, compliments of Alastair Cornish "TATER" He didn’t stand very tall, And looked a little slight; But what we quickly found out, Was his tremendous amount of fight. He rarely missed a practice, And loved to play the game; He made us all very proud, To wear the Falcon name. The kids and coaches loved him, And all the fans did too; When he made a tackle, The opposition surely knew. And now he’s up in Heaven. Our little Cornerback, Making tackles for God’s team, And now and then a sack. We’ll miss out little “Tater”, We had him for a short while, But we truly won’t forget him, And that fabulous little smile. #55 Purple, through and through! We will never forget you! Fly on the wings of a Falcon, forever ! The Falcons closed out their 2009 season with their first ever night game, on Saturday, October 3, 2009.  As part of the ceremony, the Falcons dedicated our new building, by the scoreboard: